As a work-at-home writer, I rarely have face-to-face contact with a client. Typically I apply through e-mail or with an online application, often sending a resume or samples of my work as an attachment. My job acceptances come the same way–through e-mail.
I am in the midst of a debate with my darling husband who feels that I should have business cards printed up. He believes that printed business cards will help people will take my business more seriously.
I, on the other hand, see no purpose for business cards. The one time that a client requested a business card, I e-mailed a mock-up template of a card I had designed. I got the job, so it seemed to be enough. Since I mostly communicate with clients through e-mail, I see no reason to go to the expense of printing cards.
What do you think? Do you have printed business cards? If so, what title do you give yourself: owner/proprietor or an actual description of what you do.
I look forward to your input.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
17 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Keegan // Apr 25, 2007 at
Hi Laura,
Tell your husband not to bother! I made up business cards two years ago — 2000 count I believe — and I may have used 50 of them over that time. Guess what? The email address on the card, although still used, is not the one I prefer giving out for contact reasons.
If I attend a convention, then business cards can come in handy. Otherwise, where do you think most people put the cards they receive? They certainly do not carry them around!
Regards,
MattK
2 Paula Neal Mooney // Apr 25, 2007 at
Sure, get the cards.
I got free cards from Vista Print (I only paid around 5 bucks for shipping) with a cool blue eye on them.
It has my name, cell phone number and my blog’s URL.
It sure beats hunting around for a piece of paper for folks I meet in my everyday life that ask: “How do I find you?”
3 Paula Neal Mooney // Apr 25, 2007 at
My job title says “Blogger, Writer, etc.”
My hubby asked me: “What’s the ‘etc.’?”
4 Aniela // Apr 25, 2007 at
Don’t waste your time and money on business cards. I have around 8000 of them sitting in a box. My employer ordered them, but they’re a thing of the past..
5 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Two opposing viewpoints, I love it!! I kind of lean towards Matt’s opinion, but I may be getting them anyway since hubby thinks it’s important. Paula, the etc. is indeed interesting.
6 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Welcome Aniela! Thanks for your input.
7 deanc // Apr 25, 2007 at
Hi Laura,
Isn’t it interesting the different view points so far on this topic. I’ll just put my two cents worth in here…
1) The biggest mistake you could make is putting “Writer” as a headline in my opinion. Maybe put “Did you know that 400 of my articles have been published in mainstream media?”. That’s a much more exciting headline…and people WILL respond to that.
2) I have a huge blog that is dedicated to the topic of making money with business cards that both you and your readers would be interested in. It’s gets over 1000 hits per week and is full of ideas on this exact topic.
And for Aniela, you can make money out of all those business cards you have sitting around!
Thanks Laura, and I hope you allow your readers to check this out http://www.businesscarddisplays.info
8 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Thanks for your input Deanc. I really like the idea of using a quotation in place of a title on a business card. I’ll definitely look at your site.
9 Nikki // Apr 25, 2007 at
Funny you should bring this up. As a stringer for a local paper, I have wondered about this. There have been times when I am covering a story and someone has approached me about another news worthy story but I am usually the one taking down their name and contact info.
After a recent discussion with my editor, who informs me I am her only contact for my area, I am now leaning to the point of thinking I should have these handy things. I used to do direct sales and they collected dust but now… I see a bigger opportunity to get more of our local news in the paper!
I think your blog and the previous comments have helped me make up my mind!
10 Laura // Apr 25, 2007 at
Welcome Nikki! It seems the comments are leaning towards getting them, and I’m seeing uses for them that I never thought of before.
11 Lillie Ammann // Apr 26, 2007 at
You can also make your own cards and print them on your computer printer. That way you can print only a dozen or so at a time and change the design whenever you want to.
12 Walter Burek // Apr 26, 2007 at
Hi Laura,
When I started my business, like Matt Keegan, I had 2,000 cards printed.
Several years later, I have something like 1,900 left.
Like you, I rarely meet face-to-face with clients and do solicitation and signing of new clients on the phone or by email.
If I do need a few cards or so for a meeting (the originals are outdated – new email and phone #), I’ve found that those business card printing kits at the office supply store are a great solution. I can print as many as I need for the situation at hand and change the info on them, if necessary, without a lot of expense.
wgb
13 Nikki // Apr 26, 2007 at
Hi Laura! I agree with Yvonne and Lillie. I am finding that as a stringer for a local paper whenever anyone asks what I do, I can always take out a card and hand it to them. This saves from having to locate pen and paper with children in tow. Not only that but like I mentioned, I am the only contact, if the boy scouts want something covered they can easily find me this way, same with the schools, the girl scouts, and School sports clubs. Even the mayor’s tiny office would have me at their service if they knew who to contact and how to contact me. We are a very small community, rural but amazingly, we aren’t yappy about other people so no one knows I exsist.
14 Manila Mom // Apr 30, 2007 at
I have been working from home writing freelance for about 20 years and have never gotten a project through business cards. It’s mostly through networks with communications by email.
I still print out business cards I create myself on the computer, though, basically to make me feel like a “real professional.” 🙂 It’s usually just 10-12 pieces at a time, enough for a sheet of fancy board paper. It’s good to carry around for when you meet old friends and acquaintances who ask “So what do you do now?”
15 laura // May 1, 2007 at
Manila Mom,
Thanks for your feedback. What you said is kind what I’ve always thought. However, the cards can be had fairly cheaply so I guess I’ll get them.
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